(NewsNation) — The family of Gabby Petito sat down with NewsNation’s Brian Entin to discuss the Netflix docuseries about their daughter’s killing and how they’re working to prevent youth domestic violence.
“When you watch the documentary, remember that this is a real person, this is a real family, it’s a real story and it’s real life,” Petito’s mother, Nichole Schmidt, told NewsNation. “It’s not just true crime. This can happen to anyone. We never in a million years thought this would happen to our family. That’s why we’re trying to help people, so we can prevent this from happening to them.”
What happened to Gabby Petito?
It was a mystery that captivated the world. And now, Petito’s story is a three-part Netflix documentary debuting Monday called “American Murder: Gabby Petito.”
“Illustrated with real text messages, video footage, and excerpts from Petito’s personal journals, the series captures the reality of a young woman enmeshed in an abusive relationship behind closed doors — even as she put on a happy, ‘Insta-perfect’ face for social media,” a news release from Netflix reads in part.
In July 2021, Petito and her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie, went on a road trip across America — but only Laundrie returned to his parents’ house in North Port, Florida.
The series relives the young couple’s cross-country road trip that ended in tragedy.
Police bodycam footage, included in the docuseries, revealed an abusive relationship. One officer said to Petito, “Kinda looks like somebody hit you in the face,” when responding to a call.
Authorities said Laundrie killed Petito and left her at the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Her body would be found weeks later in mid-September, days after Laundrie went missing in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park in Florida.
Brian Laundrie’s confession
Laundrie’s remains were found in the nature preserve in October 2021. Investigators said he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and left a confession saying he killed Petito. His parents, Chris and Roberta Laundrie, have been under scrutiny for what they knew and when.
Petito’s parents told NewsNation they have never received an apology from the Laundries.
“We are never going to get that,” said Joe Petito, Gabby’s father.
“At this point, I don’t want one,” said Tara Petito, Gabby’s stepmother. “It doesn’t help us. I would love for them to be charged with something. I really, really would love that. Do I think that is happening now? Unfortunately no. So I really want to erase that name out of my memory.”
Depositions revealed Laundrie’s parents knew Petito was “gone,” although the Laundries, through their attorney, have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
“I don’t think we will ever know why. The two people who will only know why and how are the two people who were there,” Nichole Schmidt, Petito’s mother, told NewsNation. “I think we have the answers we needed. We know that things were known. I don’t want to go too deep. I don’t like to talk about them or say their names.”
Focusing on the future with the Gabby Petito Foundation
Instead of focusing on the past, Petito’s parents are focused on helping others through the Gabby Petito Foundation.
They’ve passed four laws to change the way police handle missing persons cases and laws that require police to conduct what’s called “lethality assessment protocol” — making sure they are asking the right questions when looking for signs of domestic violence.
Petito’s parents say there is no closure, but there is healing.
“I have forgiven Brian, and I know that is what Gabby would have wanted, and I’m moving forward so I can move on,” Schmidt said. “That is my personal experience. I don’t think everyone has to forgive. They can when they are ready if they are ever ready. But for me personally, I needed to forgive to let that anchor go.”
“Forgiveness is for you. It is for your healing,” said Jim Schmidt, Gabby’s stepfather. “For your grief. For you to be able to move on.”